The Power of Transformation evident at kickoff
I recently attended the kickoff of the public phase of The Power of Transformation, the campaign for the University of North Florida. I was very impressed with the commitment of community leaders to lend their support to this important initiative.
However, I was awestruck by the strength of the two students who told their stories to the nearly 400 donors in attendance. The student stories captured the potential of UNF to change lives. This ability to change or transform lives is why this campaign is so crucial at this time for the University, the City of Jacksonville and the entire region.
The challenging economic times we are facing have stressed the budgets of the University and our students. Now more than ever it is important that scholarship assistance be available to make sure the promise of a college education can be extended to every qualified student in Duval County. It is equally important that the University continue to offer transformational learning opportunities to every student who desires one. Several of those transformational experiences are profiled in this publication.
Expanding scholarships and transformational learning opportunities are just two of the many campaign goals. The financial success of The Power of Transformation will in large measure determine the economic success of north Florida in the future.
I've been fortunate to have had a long involvement with the University, primarily through the UNF Foundation. I’m proud and honored to lead this dedicated group of civic leaders during this important time in the history of UNF. I’m confident the endowments you read about in this publication will grow and multiply as the result of this campaign. With that growth, we can transform our future and the future of our children. I invite everyone to join us in this most important undertaking.
Susan R. Ryzewic, President
UNF Foundation Board
Endowment Report 2008-2009